Bolton

Bolton's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, ethnicity and religion.

The population reached nearly 280,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Bolton increased by 6.0%, from about 261,000 to 277,000.

The addition of just under 16,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bolton was home to, on average, 14 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in Bolton.

The percentage of households in Bolton that rented privately increased from 6.0% in 2001 to 14% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in five (20%) households lived in social housing, compared with 22% in 2001. The percentage of Bolton households that owner their home decreased from 69% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Bolton increased by 7.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bolton, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Bolton

The number of people in Bolton from the White ethnic groups remained close to 230,000 between the last two seasons. This represents a change from 89% to 82% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the North West (from 94% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Bolton from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 24,000 in 2001 to just under 39,000 in 2011 (from 9.3% to 14%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 2,500 to just under 4,900 (from 1.0% to 1.8%).

Just under 4,700 people (0.6%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from just over 1,600 in 2001 (1.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Bolton decreased by 7.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Bolton by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Bolton

The number of people in Bolton that described themselves as Muslim increased from just over 18,000 in 2001 to about 32,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 7.1% to 12% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the North West (from 3.0% to 5.1%) and the average across England (from 3.2% to 5.2%).

The number of people in Bolton that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 190,000 in 2001 to about 170,000 in 2011 (from 75% to 63%). The number of people who described themselves as having no religion increased from about 23,000 to about 48,000 (from 8.8% to 17%).

Just under 16,000 people (7.3%) did not state their religion, down from just under 19,000 in 2001 (5.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Muslim in Bolton increased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Bolton by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Bolton residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 11% to 6.6% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (79%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 67% in 2001. The percentage of Bolton residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bolton decreased by 4.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Bolton, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Bolton working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 10% to 7.8% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (2.9%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.6% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 8.3% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Bolton decreased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Bolton, the North West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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